Atlanta, a city located in the heart of the southern United States, not only has a profound historical heritage and unique cultural atmosphere, but is also one of the birthplaces of Southern Soul Food. Every time-honored restaurant and every classic dish here seem to tell a story about family, land and tradition, which is intoxicating and memorable.
At the same time, Atlanta has also attracted food cultures from all over the world to take root with its inclusiveness and innovative spirit. From authentic Vietnamese pho to modern creative Japanese food, from Italian charcoal-grilled pizza to the pioneering expression of fusion cuisine, a colorful international food map has been constructed, allowing every diner to experience a cross-cultural journey on their taste buds.
Ⅰ. Restaurant recommendations
1. Mary Mac’s Tea Room: A Century of Food Time of Southern Soul
Restaurant Introduction:
Since its opening in 1945, Mary Mac’s Tea Room has been one of the representatives of Atlanta’s Southern cuisine. Founded by Mary MacKenzie, this restaurant was a breakthrough for female entrepreneurs in the catering industry after the war. Today, Mary Mac’s has become a cultural symbol of Southern family cooking, and it still adheres to the original recipe after decades.
Signature Food and Taste Experience:
Fried Chicken: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the spices fully penetrate the chicken fibers, and the chicken skin is crispy and dripping.
Fried Green Tomatoes: The sour taste and fried aroma are perfectly combined, and the pepper mayonnaise sauce is added to enhance the level.
Mac and Cheese: Rich milk flavor, soft and glutinous noodles, and satisfying cheese texture.
Personal experience:
After ordering, the waiter enthusiastically served traditional southern corn cakes and sweet tea, which tasted extremely warm. The fried chicken melted in your mouth, and it instantly took you back to the old southern scene in the movie “The Wizard of Oz”.
Address and reservation platform:
Address: 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
Reservations can be made in advance through OpenTable and Resy, and reservations are recommended 3 days in advance.
Cost per person: about US$25-35 (including dessert).
2. Busy Bee Café: The street corner temperature of soul food
Restaurant introduction:
Busy Bee Café was founded in 1947 and is still run by an African-American family. It has hosted many historical figures including Dr. Martin Luther King. This small shop is low-key but full of food, and is known as “the synonym of Atlanta soul food.”
Signature food and taste experience:
Smothered Pork Chops: Excellent seasoning, tender and smooth meat, thick gravy.
Collard Greens: Slowly cooked with bacon and garlic, sweet aftertaste.
Sweet Potato Pie: Sweet and not greasy, with subtle aroma of cinnamon and ginger.
Personal experience:
Sitting on an old-fashioned wooden chair, listening to black gospel music, and tasting a mouthful of gravy-filled pork chops is a touch of history and reality.
Address and reservation platform:
Address: 810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA
Phone reservations are supported or you can join the waiting list through the Yelp queue system.
Per capita cost: about $20-30.
3. Poor Calvin’s: Creative fusion of Asian style in the South
Restaurant introduction:
Founded by Thai chef Calvin Phan, Poor Calvin’s is a modern restaurant that combines Asian flavors with American Southern cuisine. Every dish here reveals novelty and sophistication, and it is one of the Michelin recommended restaurants.
Signature food and taste experience:
Lobster Fried Rice: American cheese and spices are kneaded into Thai flavors, with excellent fusion.
Duck Breast with Mango Reduction: The skin is slightly crispy, the inside is juicy, and the sour and sweet mango sauce adds a lot of color to the duck.
Thai Cheesecake: Add lemongrass and coconut milk, unique.
Personal experience:
The service is exquisite, and the dishes are served like works of art. Every bite is worth savoring. Especially the lobster fried rice, the oily fragrance of the rice grains and the sweetness of the seafood are intertwined to create an amazing taste.
Address and reservation platform:
Address: 510 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
It is strongly recommended to make reservations one week in advance through OpenTable.
Cost per person: about $40-60.
4. Antico Pizza Napoletana: Naples-style overnight success
Restaurant introduction:
Antico was founded by Giovanni Di Palma, who brought authentic Naples pizza to Atlanta after studying in Italy for many years. This pizzeria quickly became popular after opening in 2010 and has long been rated as the “Best Pizza in America”.
Signature food and taste experience:
San Gennaro Pizza: Spicy Italian sausage with sweet peppers and fresh buffalo mozzarella, with a balanced taste.
Margherita D.O.P: The sauce comes from San Marzano tomatoes, the crust is crispy, thin and flexible, and exudes the aroma of charcoal fire.
Personal experience:
The open kitchen allows you to see the chefs busy in front of the stone oven. The pizza is baked and eaten while it is hot, full of smoke and a sense of Italian street life.
Address and reservation platform:
Address: 1093 Hemphill Ave NW, Atlanta, GA
No reservations are required, only on-site queuing.
Per capita cost: about $20-30.
5. Le Colonial: Exquisite expression of French Vietnam
Restaurant introduction:
Le Colonial is a high-end Vietnamese restaurant chain originating from New York. The Atlanta branch is located in the high-end commercial district of Buckhead. The decoration is retro colonial style, recreating the Saigon style of the early 20th century.
Signature food and taste experience:
Vietnamese roast duck roll (Goi Cuon Vit): The skin is chewy, the duck meat is rich in charcoal aroma, and it is served with homemade sweet and sour sauce.
Lemongrass steak (Bo Nuong Xa): The charcoal grilling is precise, and the fragrance of lemongrass is infused into the beef fiber.
Coconut milk dessert (Che Dau Trang): Fragrant and smooth, with a hint of coconut and red bean aroma.
Personal experience:
The atmosphere is elegant and the lighting is gentle. It is a very suitable place for couples to date or business dinner. The steak is paired with Vietnamese fragrant rice, which is rich and surprising.
Address and reservation platform:
Address: 3035 Peachtree Rd NE Suite A201, Atlanta, GA
Reservations can be made through Resy or the restaurant phone. It is recommended to make reservations at least 5 days in advance.
Cost per person: about $60-80.
6. Bacchanalia: Michelin experience in Atlanta
Restaurant introduction:
Bacchanalia is one of the most prestigious high-end restaurants in Atlanta. It was founded by husband and wife chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison. It focuses on seasonal American creative cuisine and has long been ranked among the best restaurants in the United States.
Signature food and taste experience:
Wagyu Tartare: tender meat, exquisite seasoning, melts in the mouth.
Black Cod: crispy skin, sweet and tender fish, and amazing carrot puree.
Seasonal Dessert: Seasonal strawberry mousse, dense texture, moderate sweetness and sourness.
Personal experience:
Each dish is like a small taste opera, with a rhythm of tension and relaxation. After the meal, the chef personally greets the dining experience, making people feel the warmth of being valued.
Address and reservation platform:
Address: 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA
Reservations can be made through the Tock platform, and it is recommended to make reservations at least two weeks in advance.
Cost per person for the set meal: more than $125.
Ⅱ. Three things to note when visiting Atlanta for the first time
Entering the world of Atlanta’s food is not only a journey of exploring flavors, but also a window into local culture. Before tasting, mastering the following tips will add more smoothness and surprises to your restaurant experience.
1. Make reservations in advance, popular restaurants are hard to get
Atlanta has many restaurants that are popular on social platforms or have won Michelin recommendations, especially on weekends or holidays. It is recommended to make online reservations in advance through platforms such as OpenTable and Resy to ensure that you don’t miss your favorite dining time.
2. Dress carefully and respect the dining atmosphere
Although the city’s style is more casual, if you visit high-end restaurants such as Bacchanalia and Aria, it is recommended to choose business casual or elegant formal dress. Reasonable dress not only reflects respect for the restaurant’s atmosphere, but also allows you to integrate into the local dining culture.
3. Tipping culture should not be ignored
In the United States, it is generally necessary to pay a 15%-20% tip for dining. If the service is excellent, you might as well give a little more as an encouragement. This is an important part of the income of local catering service staff and a basic dining etiquette.
Atlanta’s food scene is not only a continuation of Southern soul food, but also a cross-cultural fusion and innovation. From fried chicken to lobster fried rice, from pizza to Vietnamese steak, every dish tells the diversity and tolerance of this city.
Real travel is not just an extension of footsteps, but also an adventure of taste. And Atlanta is the city that is worth stopping for a meal.
